The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-09-17
ANOTHER MANS CRIME.
- BY
The Author of The Rokewood Tragedy,
The Fenton Girls, "AlIthorpe," Etc.
CHAPTER XIV.
SUSAN BRITT.


SUSAN BRITT.
Por more than eleven years Susan
Britt had kept her room, confined there
by a disease that was both the puzzle
and the despair of the doctors.
Just what the trouble was nobody
could say. Physicians who had at
different times been called to the Ever
greens to prescribe for her had given
the ailment various high-sounding Latin
names that enlightened nobody, and
left the patient not one whit the better
for them.
Some prescribed one course of treat
ment, some prescribed another. But
no matter what the remedy was, the
result was invariably the same, the
patient grew no better. one old prac
ticer of the science had, perhaps, hit
the truth a trihe nearer than his breth-
rem, when he had ascribei Mrs. BIRTHS
malady to be more OF a mental than
physical character, and declared there
was no remedy for mind diseased.
BE that as it might, Mrs. Britt remain
ed an invalid
lay after day, for years she had oc-
cupied the great octagon room III the
i
gong out INTO the sunshine, never even
SO much as looking from the long win
dows out upon the landscape.
The mornings invariably were begun
with the inquiry-always the same:
Does the sun shine, Dora?' And let
the answer be what it would, either
affirmative or negative Mrs. Britt
would say from her shadowy curtains,
Put up the shutters, dear child. You
know | cannot bear the light
And the shutters would be closed
and the curtains drawn close, and a ire
kindled on the huge hearth-let the
season be what it would even TO the
hottest dav Of summer.
This had gone on for years, and was
still going on; and would undoubtedly
90 on until Mrs. Britt closed her eyes
for the last time on earth.
A fire now burned upon the hearth,
and Mrs. Britt sat bolstered up in her
big armchair. The writing desk was
pulled up by her side, aud same papers
lay folded and sealed upon it.
Whatever the secret was that had
broken her heart and ruined her life, it
was evident the end was close at hand.
Come here, Dora, said Mrs. Britt III
feeble tone Il have much to say to
yoH, things that must wait for the tell
ing no longer. | have already waited
too long. Pile more wood upon the
hearth, for | am cold, and sit here
where | can see you as | speak. She
shivered as if with a chill. Dora put
some pine sticks upon the Goals.
The window was open, and the wind
was blowing in strong and cold; but
Mrs. Britt seemed to feel stifed a d
short of breath, and lay baak upon her
pillows, painting with the exertion of
speaking
Dora sat down beside her. you will
find in this desk" said Mrs. Britt, lay
ing her hand on the writing desk,
a package OF money IA few thousand
dollars which / have saved for your own
use Nv life is done, and it is better
50. If l could Prolong it aday | would
not. Int for your sake, Dora, | could
have wished it ended long ago"
Dora tried to reassure her. You
have had attacks similar to this one
many times | am sure you viii feel
better soon.
Mrs. l,ritt shook her head Il shall
never be any better IN this world-never
any better. | feel that the time is
come when the burden Of sin and shame
and sorrow that has weighed me down
for years Is to be put off forever.
Mrs. Britt turned backupon her pillows,
her face was CHASTITY, and a little stream
of blood ran down from the corner OF
her mouth.
Frightened, Dora sPrang to her feet
with cry upon her lips. "Be still, :"
whispered the mistress, motioning the
girl to a seat. DO not be alarmed
This will be soon over"
LET me 90 for help" cried Dora
the cook, or Jerry"
Mrs rift shook her head
None, none. Sit here, Dora. Let
me speak.
tut Dora, wild with terror, sprang
to the door.
There must be help"
Mrs. Britt rallied. She wiped the
blood from her mouth.
Foolish child, said she, in faint
whisper, be not afraid"
Take a restorative, cried Dora, be-
seechingly. Let me fetch the hot
water, the drops"
he way Of the world, muttered
the dying woman-"the way of the
world. How long oh how long must
lie my time of trial !"